Something was wrong. Sayrah could feel it. She sat up in bed, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
"What's the matter?" Loki mumbled from beside her, half asleep.
"I'm not sure yet. I can't think properly yet." She slowly crawled out of the bed and stretched, still aching a bit from their long night.
Loki rolled over and watched her. "Are you leaving?"
"I can stay for a bit." She got dressed and started to slowly strap on her armor.
"Aww." he complained. "Don't leave."
Loki patted the mattress, his usual mischievous grin stretched across his face. "Stay awhile."
"No. And shut up for a minute, I'm concentrating."
"Rude." Loki swung his legs over the side of the bed and pulled a pair of pants on. "Is Sigyn still giving you dirty looks?" he asked casually. "I'm actually kind of surprised that Odin hasn't done anything yet. It's been like, what? Two weeks since she had the breakdown?"
He paused, waiting for a reply. "Sayrah?"
The headpiece she was holding fell to the ground with a clang.
"Sayrah!"
He turned and saw her standing frozen, staring at the door. Thor stood in the doorway jaw hanging open.
"Uhhhhh…." He gawked at the two of them, trying to put his words together. "Hi."
Loki leapt to his feet. "GET OUT!" he roared and slammed the door in his face. "How long do you think he was standing there?"
"My guess? Probably after I started gathering my armor from the floor."
Loki swore under his breath. "Odin's definitely going to do something now."
"I thought you said he wanted us together."
"Not with Sigyn still in the picture."
"What do you think is going to happen now?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.
"I don't know." He picked up the fallen headpiece and placed it on her head. "But it'll be okay. We'll figure something out."
"It won't be okay." she protested.
"It will. Trust me."
"Uh-huh." Sayrah gave him a quick kiss and slipped out the door.
Loki watched her go, trepidation tugging at his insides. Thor had probably intruded for a reason. And now that he'd seen Sayrah with him, the situation could get a whole lot worse. Odin always took Thor's word like law.
He supposed that the only way to salvage their relationship was to announce divorce, but Sigyn would never agree. His mind raced for possibilities as he dressed and made his way to the Great Hall.
Gossip and conversation buzzed throughout it. Anyone and everyone living in Asgard were gathered there. Some faces expressed worry, some looked solemn, but all were focused on Odin, who lifted his hand for silence when Loki walked in and took his place next to Thor, Balder, and Frigga. Thor raised an eyebrow and gave him a half-smile as if to congratulate his brother, but Loki determinedly avoided his gaze.
"Now that we are all here, I wish to discuss the recent preparations for war. Most importantly, I wish to discuss the Bifrost. Thor has done much in an effort to repair it, but it still has a long way to go. If we cannot get it done before Thanos' attack, I intend to use the Odinforce to ensure its quick repair and provide a way for our allies, the dwarves, Vanir, and Light Elves to pass through to Asgard to aid us in the coming invasion."
Surprised gasps rolled through the crowd.
"You can't do that! You need the Odinforce to defeat Thanos!" called Tyr. The others nodded their agreement.
"I understand the consequences of this plan and, if need be, my sons are to lead the battle and carry on in my wake as I enter the Odinsleep. I am confident that Thor, Loki and Balder can manage this task."
The three brothers exchanged uneasy glances. "Father, do you really think-?" Balder started.
"Loki? What is he going to do? Betray us again?" shouted someone from the back of the room.
"Yeah, we don't want him anywhere near the throne!" another added. "He's unhinged!"
THe crowd grew louder and louder, voicing their discontent with Odin's plan.
"HEY!" Sayrah bellowed. "In case you haven't notices, Loki is the one who's been giving us the most information on Thanos! He could be saving any one of your pathetic lives!"
"Stop defending him Halfling! You're no better than he is!" voiced one.
"Let's not resort to violence and insults, here!" Thor interrupted. "We can work this out like reasonable gods."
Sigyn stood, barely making a sound. "Don't protect them like they're innocent Thor!"
Thor hesitated, somehow hearing her over the bickering of the Asgardians. "I- uh… don't know what you mean."
"Yes you do! You know exactly what I mean!" She turned to face the crowd, raising her voice to be heard. "My husband Loki has been having an affair with Sayrah for months now, and the All- Father has done nothing about it!"
All fell silent. Skadi's jaw dropped to the floor. Idunn and Bragi gasped. Sayrah looked absolutely mortified. Loki froze; shocked that Sigyn would be so bold.
"Is this true, Odin?" Balder asked.
"Yes. Yes, it's true. All of it." Sayrah blurted before he could speak. "I don't deny it. Do with me what you will, but leave him be. I take full responsibility for everything."
"Sayrah, no-" Loki started.
"Adulterer!" someone cut off. Others took up the cry.
"Mortal Halfling!"
"Concubine!"
"SILENCE!" Odin roared. "This issue is not a concern right now. We must focus on more important matters, like Thanos."
"How can you say that?" Sigyn cried. "You promised me retribution!"
"Now's not the time!"
"It's the perfect time!"
The Aesir burst into argument yet again, bickering amongst themselves. "Punish her!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
Sayrah looked to Loki in desperation. He looked at her sympathetically. "It'll be okay." he mouthed.
"Typical Asgardians. Too busy fighting themselves instead of coming up with a real challenge." Thanos shook his head. "This will be almost too easy."
He nodded to a nearby Chitauri General. "Send the first wave."
"ENOUGH!" Odin roared. The Hall went silent once more, resentment and fear simmering underneath their focused gazes.
They were afraid. They needed something to blame. Sigyn made Loki and Sayrah easy targets with her outburst. Odin knew he had to resolve this quickly, before he lost control and made them vulnerable to attack from Thanos.
"I have decided. As a Prince of Asgard, Loki cannot and will not be held responsible for his actions."
The crowd muttered to themselves, discontent.
But, Sayrah Zuredottir, for crimes of adultery and betrayal to Asgardian law, I sentence you to-"
Before he could finish, the ground shuddered beneath the palace floor.
"What the-?"
The Asgardians stumbled around, trying to regain their balance. One of Odin's Crimson Hawks pushed his way to the front of the crowd.
"My liege! We're under attack….the outer walls….. Thanos is here!"
The room devolved into chaotic panic. The women screamed and scrambled to find a safe place; the men leapt into action and readied themselves for battle.
"All able-bodied warriors to me!" Thor called.
"No need to panic, we are prepared for this. Don't push, everything will be alright." Balder assured the crowd of terrified people and tried to help them along in an orderly fashion.
Loki moved to Sayrah and hugged her tightly. "That was close."
"It still needs to happen." Sayrah let go and placed a hand on her sword. "Until then, I'm fighting."
"No." he pulled her back.
"I have to. For me, for you, for us. Thanos has to be stopped, and he'll be thirsting for our blood, so why not give it to him?"
"Because I don't want to die for this stupid realm! They were ready to punish, even kill you about a minute ago. Who says they won't serve us to Thanos on a silver platter as soon as he shows his face?!"
"I don't care about them or what they'll do. Are you coming with me or not?"
"Fine. Promise to try and stay safe."
"I can't, but I will anyway." She kissed him and took off after Thor and the other warriors. Loki sighed and followed after her, fearing that the next time he saw her would be in a coffin.